Interlake-Eastern RHA and physicians establish a plan to stabilize emergency services including continued support for nurse managed care throughout the summer

Physicians in the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority (RHA) have agreed to maintain their support for nurse managed care until September. This is important to allow the Interlake-Eastern RHA the necessary time to develop a process and to communicate in advance with staff and communities within the region.

The region is seeing record numbers of physician shortages right now and with the summer fast approaching, emergency rooms in the region are about to become even busier. Interlake-Eastern RHA and physicians, with the support of Manitoba Health, have established an agreement that should bring additional physicians to the region to assist physicians with shifts in the emergency departments, primary health and inpatient care.

According to CEO, Ron Van Denakker, the discussions that took place with the physicians were extremely collaborative and confirm a mutual commitment towards giving patients better access to emergency department services across the region.“Physicians are committed to serving their patients and through this agreement, will be able to provide more sustainable, accessible and reliable health care services to our communities,” says Van Denakker. “All of our emergency department staff work hard to keep emergency department doors open, to continue to serve patients under all circumstances and we are thankful for their efforts.”

Residents are advised to call 911 if they are in need of emergency care, as lifesaving advice can be provided over the phone. Patients who are well enough to self-transport to a hospital can continue to attend the nearest hospital and nurses will be there on site to assist.

As previously indicated, by early September, nurse managed care will no longer be in place in emergency departments across the region. Between now and then, the RHA, staff, physicians, and communities will be working together to establish a long term plan to ensure sustainable, reliable, accessible emergency department coverage across the region.